The following is an update from the Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) Board on the civil lawsuit filed against SGM.

SGM's motion to dismiss the suit was heard by Judge Sharon V. Burrell in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court on Friday, May 17, 2013. The following summarizes the results of the hearing we received from our attorneys:

Judge Burrell dismissed 9 of the 11 plaintiffs on the grounds that their claims fell outside of the statute of limitations. She also dismissed the claims of all 11 plaintiffs as to the Virginia-based defendants (for lack of jurisdiction) and as to Covenant Life School, Inc. (for being the incorrect corporate entity associated with the timeframe of the claims). With respect to the claims of the two remaining plaintiffs against the remaining defendants (including SGM), Judge Burrell dismissed the Second Amended Complaint. She allowed plaintiffs’ counsel 10 days to file a third amended complaint to attempt to clarify with specificity any allegations by the two remaining plaintiffs against each remaining defendant. The court indicated that plaintiff’s counsel may not add new claims or new parties to the third amended complaint. 

Please note that this ruling does not specifically address the substance of the plaintiffs’ allegations. This was a civil lawsuit requesting financial damages relating to an alleged cover up of abuse. It was not a criminal case trying the innocence or guilt of any of these individuals. Sadly, these allegations have damaged the reputations of the named defendants and leave us all in the difficult place of having no clear way to restore them. Let us reiterate that our review of the allegations has not produced any evidence of any cover-up or conspiracy by SGM.  Likewise, defendant John Loftness, our former chairman, has publically denied having ever physically or sexually abused a child. 

We are firmly committed to fully cooperating with authorities should any charges ever be brought against any individual associated with SGM. Furthermore, we are fully committed to compliance with all laws regarding reporting of known or suspected child abuse. 

We, like everyone else, abhor sexual abuse of any kind, especially against children. It is evil and a sin against God and humanity. And we grieve for the very real pain and suffering that any victim of abuse has experienced.  We believe children are a gift from God and commit to do all we can to love, care for, and protect them.

We are most grateful for your ongoing support and prayer through this challenging season. Please continue to pray for all those affected by this civil suit, for God’s will to be done, and for SGM to work through these challenging circumstances in a manner that honors him and that demonstrates that our hope and trust are in him. 

The Sovereign Grace Ministries Board of Directors

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Please be aware of the following press release.

Statement by Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM)
Regarding the Amended Complaint Filed May 14, 2013

With a heavy heart, we write to update you on the civil lawsuit filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM).

The suit has been amended a second time. It claims that several members of Covenant Life Church and Sovereign Grace Church of Fairfax were the victims of egregious sexual abuse by a number of alleged perpetrators at various times and places. It further alleges that a number of pastors from those churches conspired to cover up the alleged abuse.

Named among these alleged perpetrators is pastor John Loftness, former Chairman of the SGM Board of Directors. John Loftness has denied the allegations and has offered a statement which is available at http://solidrockchurch.net/.

The charges in this amended complaint are serious, grievous, and difficult to read. The thought of such alleged abuse is extremely disturbing. Because of our resolve to see truth and justice prevail, we continue to work closely with legal counsel.

Our careful review of the allegations to date has not produced any evidence of any cover-up or conspiracy. If we discover otherwise, our Board will immediately report it to the authorities and see that it is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Without minimizing the serious nature of these allegations nor the grievous harm individuals may have experienced, we understand that it is possible for people to be wrongly accused. We thank God for the judicial system where these allegations can be brought, a defense made, and a verdict rendered through a fair and just process.

Thank you for your patience as these legal proceedings take place. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done and for SGM to work through these challenging circumstances in a manner that honors him and that demonstrates that our hope and trust are in him.

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Please be aware of the following press release.

Statement by Tommy Hill
Sovereign Grace Ministries Director of Administration
Re: The Amended Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Sovereign Grace Ministries
Jan. 11 in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court 

On Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, Sovereign Grace Ministries’ (SGM) leadership was served with an amended complaint in the civil lawsuit originally filed Oct. 17, 2012, in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court.

SGM has been carefully reviewing each allegation since the initial claims first surfaced last October. We consider any allegation of harm to a child extremely serious and we have been working diligently in an effort to learn the truth. We ask for patience as we continue to investigate these new allegations. Please continue to pray with us for all those affected by this lawsuit.

As we initially stated and continue to reiterate, SGM considers the mistreatment of any child reprehensible and evil. We grieve deeply for any individual who has been a victim of abuse. We want to minister the love, grace, and healing of God to every child we encounter who has suffered such horror.

SGM remains committed to integrity and faithfulness in pastoral care. We adhere to the biblical commands to pursue the protection and well being of all people – especially children, who are precious gifts given by the Lord and the most vulnerable among us. These biblical commands include fully respecting civil authority to help restrain evil and promote righteousness as Romans 13 instructs us. SGM also encourages the establishment of robust child protection policies and procedures based on best practices.

Sovereign Grace Ministries is an association of over 80 churches, primarily in the United States, with the goal of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ both locally and globally. They voluntarily partner together for certain aspects of their broader common mission: to plant churches, develop resources, train pastors and serve international ministries in order to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Please be aware of the following press release.

Updated Statement by Tommy Hill
Sovereign Grace Ministries Director of Administration
Nov. 14, 2012
Re: Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Sovereign Grace Ministries in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court

Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) leadership has obtained a copy of the civil lawsuit filed Oct. 17 against SGM and several pastors from its associational churches. This complaint makes broad allegations that SGM pastors were negligent, resulting in errors and omissions in pastoral counseling and spiritual care, which was voluntarily sought and provided years ago to some families of child abuse victims.

The suit does not allege child abuse by any current or former pastor of SGM or any church associated with SGM. The suit does not allege child abuse by any employee or staff of SGM or any church associated with SGM. The suit does not allege any child abuse occurred on any SGM property or any church associated with SGM.

SGM leaders provided biblical and spiritual direction to those who requested this guidance. This care was sought confidentially, as is a right under the First Amendment. We are saddened that lawyers are now, in essence, seeking to violate those rights by asking judges and juries, years after such pastoral assistance was sought, to dictate what sort of biblical counsel they think should have been provided. SGM believes that allowing courts to second guess pastoral guidance would represent a blow to the First Amendment, that would hinder, not help, families seeking spiritual direction among other resources in dealing with the trauma related to any sin including child sexual abuse.

SGM is not in a position to comment on the specific allegations at this time, but upon review it appears the complaint contains a number of misleading allegations, as well as considerable mischaracterizations of intent.  Legal counsel is preparing responsive pleadings.

Child sexual abuse is reprehensible in any circumstance, and a violation of fundamental human dignity. We grieve deeply for any child who has been a victim of abuse. SGM encourages pastors from its associated churches to minister the love, grace, and healing of God to any who have suffered this horrific act. 

SGM is committed to integrity and faithfulness in pastoral care, as are the pastors of local congregations. We take seriously the biblical commands to pursue the protection and well-being of all people – especially children, who are precious gifts given by the Lord and the most vulnerable among us. These biblical commands include fully respecting civil authority to help restrain evil and promote righteousness as Romans 13 instructs us. SGM also encourages the establishment of robust child protection policies and procedures based on best practices. 

SGM churches are separately organized and constituted in their respective communities. They voluntarily partner together for certain aspects of their broader common mission: to plant churches, develop resources, train pastors and serve international ministries in order to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We ask that you please join us in praying that God guides and leads all of us in these challenging circumstances, ministering his grace, comfort and peace to all who are affected by this situation, and that His truth would prevail.

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Please be aware of the following press release.

October 26, 2012

Statement by Tommy Hill
Sovereign Grace Ministries Director of Administration
Re: A Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Sovereign Grace Ministries Oct. 17 in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court

Though not yet served, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) leadership has obtained a copy of the civil lawsuit filed last week against SGM and several pastors of its associational churches. This recent complaint makes broad allegations that SGM pastors were negligent in providing spiritual counsel and pastoral care in situations involving persons who had previously suffered child sexual abuse. It is important to note that it does not allege any act of child abuse by a pastor or staff member of SGM or of an associated church. SGM is not in a position to comment on the specific allegations at this time, but we are beginning a careful legal review of each allegation. Upon initial review it appears the complaint contains a number of untrue or misleading allegations, as well as considerable mischaracterizations of intent.

Child sexual abuse is reprehensible in any circumstance, and a violation of fundamental human dignity. We grieve deeply for any child who has been a victim of abuse. We want to minister the love, grace and healing of God to any who have suffered this horrific act.

SGM is committed to integrity and faithfulness in pastoral care, as are the pastors of local congregations. We take seriously the biblical commands to pursue the protection and well-being of all people – especially children, who are precious gifts given by the Lord and the most vulnerable among us. These biblical commands include fully respecting civil authority to help restrain evil and promote righteousness as Romans 13 instructs us. SGM also encourages the establishment of robust child protection policies and procedures based on best practices.

SGM churches are separately organized and constituted in their respective communities. They voluntarily partner together for certain aspects of their broader common mission: to plant churches, develop resources, train pastors and serve international ministries in order to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We ask that you please join us in praying that God guides and leads all of us in these challenging circumstances, ministering His grace, comfort and peace to all who are affected by this situation, and that His truth would prevail.

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Please be aware of the following press release.

October 17, 2012

Statement by Sovereign Grace Ministries on Reported Lawsuit

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – Today, Sovereign Grace Ministries Director of Finance and Administration, Tommy Hill, released the statement below regarding a reported lawsuit on October 17, 2012:

It has come to the attention of Sovereign Grace Ministries through media outlets that a lawsuit has been filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries related to allegations of child abuse apparently arising in the 1980s and 90s. To date, Sovereign Grace Ministries has not been served with any such lawsuit nor does it have a copy of the lawsuit. Sovereign Grace Ministries is not in a position to comment on the allegations of the reported lawsuit. Child abuse in any context is reprehensible and criminal. Sovereign Grace Ministries takes seriously the Biblical commands to pursue the protection and well being of all people, especially the most vulnerable in its midst, little children.

Sovereign Grace Ministries is a family of over 80 churches, primarily in the United States with the goal of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ both locally and globally.

For more information, please contact Tommy Hill at thill@sovgracemin.org

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We pass on an encouraging report from Dave Nelson about the efforts of Grace Christian Fellowship to serve and evangelize their neighbors in inner city Spokane, Washington.

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Grace Christian Fellowship is located in a low income neighborhood within Spokane's inner city. The church is surrounded by single moms and families on welfare.

From 2010 – 2011 we did a variety of things starting with going door-to-door and handing out invitations to church. We also invited individuals to an “Alpha like” dinner called “Christianity Explored.” However, the overall impact was minimal and none of our efforts seemed to build bridges within the community or lead to a common mission for the church to embrace together.

In the fall of 2010, in the context of prayer, God led us to a book by Darren Patrick titled, “Church Planter – The Man, The Message, The Mission”. This book shifted our direction from a flurry of unrelated activities to a defined platform. Patrick, describes a process their church (The Journey – Saint Louis) underwent to build an evangelistic culture. Quoting from the book,

After well-intended but unfocused activity… we realized that we had not built any relationships, shared struggles, carried burdens, or really loved our neighbors that way we should have… The turning point came when we got connected with the local elementary school, Adams Elementary… We discovered that if you wanted to make an impact in that neighborhood, you had to begin by making an impact at Adams Elementary. Armed with new direction and enthusiasm, (their mission group), decided to put all their financial and people resources into Adams Elementary… in the hopes that they would help transform that neighborhood, then transform the neighborhood next to that, and so on.

Believing a similar approach was God’s will for our church, we contacted the elementary school—which happened to be across the street—in the Fall of 2011 and asked the Principal if there was any way we could serve them. The Principal gladly affirmed that they needed help, and that we could serve them best in the area of mentoring. She informed us that mentoring would take 30 minutes. Mentors would eat lunch with a student, chosen by the teachers based on greatest need, and simply spend time with them. 

For the school year ending in June, 2012 we had the privilege to mentor 16 kids. Our desire from the beginning was not only to love these kids and form relationships with them, but through them to make meaningful contact with their parents and guardians. While our conviction is that the Gospel alone saves, relationships open the doors for gospel proclamation. We are finding that as we commit to these kids we ingratiate ourselves with their parents.

In an effort to meet  the parents, last spring, we hosted a dinner for the kids and their parents. We printed flyers for the kids to bring home. three (of the sixteen) showed up with a parent or guardian. We hope to do two more of these dinners next year.  With better advertising, we just might attract more families.

Furthermore, through a summer program, and the extreme generosity of the Union Gospel Mission, we were able to invite 50 kids, ages 8-12 to a week long summer camp. Through our relationships with the school administrators and teachers we were given full access to the appropriate classrooms in order to explain the camp and pass out flyers.

Our teaching curriculum included session’s on “Creation”,  “The Fall” , “Redemption” and “Glory”. One criterion for the camp was for parents to pre-register in order to meet the camp staff, complete the necessary paperwork and preview the teaching material. In that meeting we were able to present them with the Gospel message. Only one family withdrew their child from the camp. Afterwards, each child received a hand written “thank you” note from their counselor.

On Sept 9 we are starting a 6 week Sunday School using “The Gospel of John” video. We are using the following process for recruitment. 1) Call parents and get permission to send invitation. 2) Mail invitation. 3) Call to make sure they received the invitation. 4) Mail a “save the date” reminder. 5) Call the week of and ask for a commitment.

We have no idea what interest this will generate, or how many will actually come, but we have contact information for roughly 50 households in our neighborhood. God has sovereignly put these individuals on our hearts and we pray for them regularly and will continue to pray.

Please pray with us that God will bless our efforts here. This is not a “program.” We are in it for the long haul.

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We've invited Tim Kerr, pastor of Sovereign Grace Church Toronto (Ontario), to answer the question, "If prayer is such a good thing, why does it seem so hard?"

Tim has studied and taught on the topic of prayer extensively. Most recently, Tim spoke on this topic at The Gospel Coalition's Regional Conference in Ontario. Tim is also the author of the excellent Scripture-based prayer resource Take Words With You.

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If prayer is such a good thing, why does it seem so hard? Of the many reasons for this struggle, most would not come up with the reason given by the prophet Isaiah: “There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities” (Isa. 64:7).

According to Isaiah, prayerlessness is evidence of a judgment from God. This is sobering to contemplate. With a few notable exceptions, the North American church is not especially known for its vibrant prayer life. This problem, according to Isaiah, is not going to be fixed by a few more strong exhortations, reading the right books, a new conference on prayer, or even better daily discipline.

If the sun were removed from our solar system, the earth would quickly grow dark, cold, and all life would soon stop. We need the sun’s presence to stay alive. In spite of all of our technological progress, we are utterly dependent on the sun. In the same way, we are dependent on the light of God’s face for prayer. If God hides his face from us, prayer becomes very difficult, if not impossible.

Until the light of God’s face shines on us, our prayers will likely remain shallow, short, or absent altogether. Isaiah mentions another cause of prayerlessness: our sin. The word “melt” has the idea of losing strength. Indulged sin, even if limited to the thought life, will effectively paralyze prayer.

So what’s to be done? In order to receive the grace to change, we need to implore God to help us, but that is our problem in the first place!

If sin makes God hide his face, the great question is, “What then makes God show his face?” If we find the answer to this, we will start to unravel the root problem of our prayerlessness.

The Scripture speaks of only one reality that compels the Almighty to turn his face toward us. When the Ancient of Days has His exacting justice fully satisfied, all shall be well between creature and Creator. But how can an infinite being ever be fully satisfied? An offering must be made that is not only capable of dying the sinners death, but of swallowing the everlasting darkness of that infinite sentence. Surely only one who is both Transcendent and Immanent could possibly qualify. Infinite Spirit mixed with flesh and blood. Set apart from sinners yet not set apart from humanity.

Here is the word we are looking for. Propitiation. Where the offended God is appeased fully. Where fury is turned to favour. The lamb slain from the foundation of the earth. Sent on a mission propelled by God’s love to drink every drop of the wine of God’s wrath. Not a drop left over for us. Not a single drop!

In other words, propitiation provides for prayer! So here’s the practical part. The first movements of renewal in prayer begin with a look at Calvary—but not in the way we usually look at that sacred cross. We are prone to see the cross horizontally—what it does for us, what Jesus did on the cross for us. But the jumper cable “look” at the cross that restarts our prayer lives is of a completely different variety. We must look at the cross vertically—what the cross did to God, how the cross affected infinite holiness. How the cross satisfied God.

Look now. Do you see the light of his face? The frown of God turned to a smile! Nothing reinvigorates prayer like the welcoming face of our God, arms outstretched, welcoming us into his presence! Let that light draw you to Him today!

“In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain” (Prov. 16:15).

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For further resources from Tim, please see the series of articles he contributed to desiringGod on "Pastors, Devote Yourselves to the Word and to Prayer."

You can also download Take Words with You here for free.

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Over the next two days, SGM pastors will gather in Louisville, Kentucky to present their polity positions papers to the SGM Polity Committee. To date, the Committee has received 24 papers that have been made available to all SGM pastors for review and further study.

While churches in Sovereign Grace Ministries have enormous agreement on so much, polity is one area of our partnership that needs to be further defined. We want our polity to grow out of a robust doctrine of the church but also to be useful and practical, helping us work together in the areas where Scripture is silent or lacking in detail. The work before our pastors and Polity Committee is significant. We request that you partner with us in prayer, especially over the next couple of days, as this important work takes place.

You can pray for the following:

1. Clarity for the SGM pastors presenting papers

2. Wisdom for the Polity Committee as they consider these presentations and make recommendations to the Board

3. Unity as a family of churches through this process as we endeavor to plant and build churches together with the gospel of Jesus Christ

May God grant us wisdom from above and love for one another as we approach this most important task.

For more information regarding the purpose, goals, scope, process, and questions to be answered by the Polity Committee, download the Letter to SGM Pastors Concerning Polity.

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Today, Jim Donohue, pastor for evangelism at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, shares his thoughts on evangelism and talks about a course he helped prepare for evangelism training.

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Water skiing can be scary. You’re floating in dark water behind a powerful boat that’s revving its engines. Two planks of wood are strapped to your feet, and you are holding onto a rope attached to the engines. Meanwhile, someone is gently and soothingly encouraging you with the essential instructions to survive on the aforementioned wooden slats. “Keep your ski tips up, bend your knees, lean back, keep your back straight, and lock your elbows!” As you desperately try to remember these tips, the soothing voice asks, “Are you ready?”

You give a tentative nod, and the soothing voice suddenly screams, “Hit it!”

It can all be a little unnerving, and so can evangelism. In fact, water skiing is a lot like evangelism. It’s a little scary at first but once you get going, it’s a lot of fun.”

It really is true. I’ve shared the gospel in quite a variety of contexts, and believe it or not I still feel hesitant before I begin. The little voice in my head whispers, “I’m not sure this is a good idea!” But then the Spirit inside of me says, “Hit it!” and I end up opening my mouth.

Once I open my mouth, the conversation unfolds and is often very enjoyable. However, in the two decades of my Christian life, I have found that whenever I seek to share the gospel, I am met with resistance and doubt. I have never found a way to erase these feelings, but I have learned to overcome them. And I’ve experienced the flood of joy that comes when I overcome the flesh and obey God’s command to evangelize. It’s a little like finally getting up on those skis and skimming across the lake with the wind in your hair.

The gospel is the most powerful and precious message in the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to share this message with others. God does not want us to keep this good news to ourselves! But there are many challenges that we face when it comes to reaching out to people with the gospel. We can feel scared or guilty or hypocritical or busy. We can lack courage, conviction, time, or an understanding of the depth of what Christ has done for us. These things often can keep us from jumping into the water even though we know that obeying our Savior brings joy. So what can we do? Where can we find that soothing voice that helps us get up on our skis?

It’s a good question and one that prompted us to develop the Proclaim Course. This seven-week small group DVD course is designed to encourage and equip average Christians to join God in the unstoppable proclamation of the gospel. The course helps us to understand God’s role and our role in evangelism as well as the incredible motivation that comes from the gospel. We also learn how to be ourselves when reaching the lost, how to build friendships with unbelievers, and how to share the gospel faithfully when opportunities arise. It’s an easy way to get up on your skis.

Even though evangelism is challenging and our hesitant feelings may not go away, we can share the gospel with confidence because we have the Spirit’s grace-filled presence with us saying “Hit it!”

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If you’d like to find out more about the topic of evangelism, check out the Proclaim DVD Course.

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